pendulum swing
letting the new hour
sprawl noisily
across the night

giving moments
taking empty time
a currency
of second hand

cuttings bringing
each piece to its
natural close
starts new afresh

but carefully
with great method
the unmasking
takes no bribes

the passing game
uncheated by the slip
unchallenged by the price
no tender for this work

the pendulum's swing
is a private service
provided by the darkness
for our own sleepless hour